VOLTS VS AMPS

Learn about the concepts of voltage compared to amperage

Suitable For

Grade 6

Difficulty

2

Time Required

<2 Days

Supervision

Advised

What’s it about?

For people to advance in the field of electricity it is very important to learn the difference between two very important concepts in electricity: ‘electrical potential’ and ‘current flow’. This science experiment will help you gain a better understanding of these two terms:

Topics covered

Milliammeter, Voltmeter, In Parallel, In Series

What will I need?

INSULATED WIRE WITH ALLIGATOR CLIPS

1,5-VOLT BATTERY

LIGHT BULB IN HOLDER

MILLIAMMETER

VOLTMETER

WIRE CUTTERS

SWITCH

Procedure (Method)

Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.

How does it work?

Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.

In this science experiment, the path of the current is ‘opened’ by throwing the switch which allows the current to flow in a loop (from the switch through the battery and the bulb and back to the switch) in series. This current flow is measured by the milliammeter and hence it needs to be connected directly within the flow or ‘in series’.

The voltmeter measures the difference in potential across two terminals of a battery and needs to be connected ‘in parallel’. Throw the switch again to ‘close’ the path and the voltmeter will still show a ‘potential’, but the milliammeter will drop to zero.

Like the sound of it?

Why not check out the full worksheet in one of our popular e-books?

This particular science project can be found in any of the following Experiland e-books:

A project introduction and background, complete listing of required materials, step-by-step instructions on how to carry out the project, why it works, learn more section, as well as a science glossary with all the relevant terms make up each of the all-inclusive science project worksheets in our e-books!